6^th March: Environmental Agency issues environmental permit

The Environmental Agency has issued an environmental permit for the operation of the Energy from Waste Combinded Heat and Power Plant at North Yard, Devonport. Following the granting of planning permission by Plymouth City Council and the signing of the Section 106 agreement, which sets out a wide package of benefits for the local area, MVV Environment are now able to move forward with this important project for South West Devon. The permit itself and the documents accompanying the application can be viewed and downloaded here.

3^rd February: Plymouth City Council issues formal decision note

Plymouth City Council has issued the planning decision notice for the Energy from Waste Plant at North Yard, Devonport. The notice follows the signing of a Section 106 agreement which contains a number of provisions that will be beneficial for the area where the EfW plant will be built, including the setting up of a Community Fund. The complete agreement can be viewed and downloaded here.

22^nd December: Planning Committee of PCC grants Planning Application

The decision by the planning committee of Plymouth City Council to grant Planning Permission for an Energy from Waste plant at North Yard, Devonport, has been welcomed by MVV Environment Devonport as the applicant. The application approval is subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement. This will include the setting up of a Community Fund, a significant financial contribution to enable low carbon infrastructure to be developed in the City plus further matters of public concern such as traffic infrastructure, enhancement of open space, biodiversity and the monitoring of emissions from the plant.

14^th December: EA draft permission and report from PCC planning department

The planning department of Plymouth City Council has published its report on the Planning Application for the EfW plant (click here). Planners have recommended the approval of the Planning Application subject to the imposition of the recommended conditions and a section 106 agreement which accords with the heads of terms set out in the report. The Planning Committee of Plymouth City Council will consider the application in a meeting on the 22nd December, starting at 10am in the Council Chamber.

Additionally, the Environmental Agency (EA) has issued a draft permit for the operation of the Energy from Waste plant at North Yard, Devonport (contained within Planning Application report link above). The draft states that the EA is minded to grant the operational permit, subject to certain conditions and pending a public consultation which will take place from 19th December, 2011 to 3rd February, 2012. Following the consultation period the EA will finally decide on the application.

11^th November: Further information submitted

MVV Environment Devonport Ltd has submitted to Plymouth City Council further supplementary information in support of its planning application. The package includes information on bottom ash alternatives, road drainage, an updated safety and visual assessment. The further information can be found here.

26^th October: MVV means business

MVV Environment Devonport Ltd has reviewed the high level of interest shown by over 150 people who attended the company’s Industry and Employment Day at Tamar Science Park, Plymouth. The event was held to give local businesses the chance to showcase their goods and services to MVV and its subcontractors. There were also a wide range of employment opportunities on offer, which attracted jobseekers from around the region. Additional information about the day can be found here.

14^th September: MVV provides planners with additional information

MVV Environment Devonport Ltd has provided further information to Plymouth City Council’s Planning Department. The Council had issued a Regulation 19 Notice to MVV, seeking clarification on a number of issues in the planning application which MVV submitted in May. The detailed additional information can be found here.

31^st August: MVV office extends opening hours

Starting on 5th September, MVV Environment Devonport Ltd will extend the opening hours of ist Plymouth office. To enable people who are at work during the day to call in, the office will be open on Mondays until 7.30 pm. Additionally, MVV carries on with outreach sessions in various locations in the area. Details of these sessions can be found here.

16^th August: MVV undertaking piling work at North Yard

MVV Environment Devonport Ltd will be drilling a small number of test piles to check the condition of the ground where the company is proposing to develop an Energy from Waste Combined Heart and Power (EfW CHP) facility. The nature of the work requires approval from Plymouth City Council. Accordingly, MVV has now submitted a planning application.

2^nd August: MVV's experience in Germany

Those interested in MVV's experience in Germany can access the English version of MVV Umwelt's website. There is a wealth of information about MVV and the download section has several factsheets on MVV's existing plants and two corporate movies; one about MVV's latest plant in Mannheim and the other about the baling system in MVV's plant in Leuna.

28^th July: MVV holds community drop-in sessions

MVV Environment Devonport Ltd is arranging a series of drop-in sessions to give local people a chance to ask questions or raise any concerns in one-to-one meetings. This initiative is part of MVV's continued commitment to keep the community informed and provide the opportunity for further feedback, questions and discussion.

Paul Carey, Managing Director of MVV Environment Devonport Ltd, said: "We are very happy with the reception of our latest round of exhibitions and the feedback we have received. We have talked to many people about their expectations and their thoughts on this project, and we want to continue this process. We appreciate that not everyone who wants to is able to visit our office, so we are arranging these sessions in the community, including one in the evening at the central library, to give more local people a chance to meet us and discuss the scheme in person."

Those who are interested can phone Amanda Booth to arrange a timeslot on 01752 565412 for a specific one-to-one discussion, or alternatively, just call in to one of the venues below on the days and times indicated.

5^th July: MVV's environmental permit application out for consultation

MVV has submitted an environmental permit application to the Environment Agency. The application and accompanying documents can be downloaded here. Please also see MVV's press release on the application.

15^th June:

Defra has published a highly anticipated review of current waste management practices and respective government policies. The review acknowledges that energy from waste technologies can contribute to the UK's renewable energy generation and help in preventing some of the negative greenhouse gas impacts of waste in landfill. Defra also says that higher efficiency approaches such as CHP will be increasingly required from EfW projects. MVV's plans to build a highly efficient EfW CHP plant to supply both electricity and steam to the Naval Base are fully in line with this. The full report is available for download here.

14^th June: 3D computer animation of proposed EfW CHP plant is now online

During ist exhibitions in June 2011, MVV shows a 3D animation of the proposed EfW CHP plant. The animation is now available for download here. Please note that due to the size of the file, download may take some time.

8^th June: Boards of public exhibitions in June 2011 are now online

MVV is currently holding a further series of public exhibitions on its plans for an Energy from Waste plant at North Yard, Devonport (Exhibition locations and dates can be found here.)

The exhibition boards from June 2011 can be downloaded here.

26^th May: MVV's planning application for EfW out for public consultation

MVV Environment Devonport Ltd has submitted a planning application for an Energy from Waste plant with Combined Heat and Power at North Yard, Devonport to manage the residual waste from Plymouth, Devon and Torbay on behalf of the South West Devon Waste Partnership. The application has been registered by Plymouth City Council, the local planning authority, which will now consult on the scheme.

MVV reviewed its initial proposals following extensive public consultation in February and the revised scheme now forms part of the planning application.

Please download the full press release here.

26^th May: MVV to carry out further public consultation

MVV Environment Devonport Ltd announces a further series of public exhibitions on its plans for an Energy from Waste plant at North Yard, Devonport. The exhibition locations and dates can be found here.

MVV will also hold a public exhibition in Buckfastleigh on its plans at Whitecleave Quarry. The exhibition location and date can be found here.